www.asbestos.com is committed to providing the latest, up-to-date information to visitors in the hope of spreading awareness about the dangers of asbestos cancer. This website offers information on all asbestos issues ranging from occupational exposure to mesothelioma treatment options.

As a leading asbestos and mesothelioma resource, www.asbestos.com offers more than 2000 pages of the most comprehensive and cutting edge information on the web.

A complementary site for Pleural Mesothelioma patients with information and treatments specific to this condition is available: http://www.pleuralmesothelioma.com/

Andrology Australia is committed to providing information to health professionals to improve understanding of male reproductive health disorders, including prostate and testicular cancer. The purpose of the Andrology Australia health professional section is to provide on-line access for health professionals providing care to men with reproductive health issues. This section contains journal articles, evidence-based information, clinical guidelines, position statements and online activities relating to prostate cancer and testicular cancer .

The website also contains evidence based information about male reproductive cancers for consumers from the NHMRC‘s Clinical Practice Guidelines with comment and suggestions by the Urological Society of Australasia and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia including prostate cancer fact sheets about localised prostate cancer and advanced prostate cancer;as well as information about testicular cancer treatments and issues including self examination, diagnosis and sperm storage.

Professionals can stay up to date with all the latest treatments and opinions by signing up for the new Andrology Australia email newsletter, The Healthy Male: http://www.andrologyaustralia.org/subscription.asp?pageCode=SUBSCRIBE

All resources can be order via Andrology Australia website www.andrologyaustralia.org

Developed as part of the Gynaecological Cancer Society‘s Information and Education Programme, the site provides information that caters to the needs of professionals in a wide range of specialty areas. This information is holistic, authoritative and cancer specific, covering the full range of gynaecological cancers. Printable patient fact sheets are also available on the site.

This website is for people who have lymphoedema or who are concerned about developing lymphoedema following treatment for cancer. It also contains information for health professionals, including resources for professional development workshops.

Lymphoedema is a chronic swelling in part of the body that occurs because of a build-up of fluid in the body‘s tissues. Estimates suggest that about 20% of patients treated for melanoma, breast, gynaecological or prostate cancers will develop lymphoedema. There is no cure, but appropriate management and daily care can reduce swelling, improve movement and prevent infections.

The resources and information on this website aim to improve the knowledge and management of secondary lymphoedema following cancer treatment.

A downloadable pdf of NBOCCs information leaflet, Understanding Lymphoedema is available: http://www.nbocc.org.au/resources/documents/ULB_understandinglymphoe.pdf

Document summarises the current knowledge of skin cancer and skin cancer prevention in Australia.

It was developed as an input into the strategic plan for skin cancer prevention, Reducing the impact of skin cancer in NSW 2007-2009 and is intended as a source document for practitioners working in the field and could be a useful reference to inform local action on skin cancer prevention.

This site provides information regarding the medical issues and statistics related to lung cancer as well as the physical and emotional stresses for patients and carers.

Established in Queensland in 1975, the Leukaemia Foundation is the only national organisation dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with:

• leukaemias
• lymphomas
• myeloma
• related blood disorders including myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferate disorders (PRV, ET, MF), waldenstroms, amyloidosis and aplastic anaemia.

The Leukaemia Foundation works closely with health professionals to provide a continuum of care for patients and their families as well as fund innovative Australian research, fellowships and scholarships.

Information, patient guides, news and latest research for health professionals is included for each of the diseases.

The National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers is an Australian Government initiative to improve outcomes for women affected by gynaecological cancers and their families and caregivers.

It has been established by Cancer Australia. The Centre provides national leadership to improve outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers and increase awareness and education about gynaecological cancers for medical and allied health professionals, including an interactive psychosexual training module for health professionals to address the psychosexual care of women affected by gynaecological cancers

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the national body for prostate cancer in Australia. It funds research and other efforts to reduce the impact of prostate cancer on the community.

The website includes information for health professionals including downloadable booklets and information:

• Prostate Cancer for General Practitioners: PSA Booklet II is a guide for general practitioners faced with the question of how best to manage consultations with men who present for a general check-up or who have particular concerns about prostate cancer.
• How to talk to patients about PSA is a downloadable poster that assists GPs to discuss risk with their patients to assist in the early detection of cancer.

National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD) is a research centre funded by the federal government as part of the Government's Strengthening Cancer Care package with measures aimed at prevention, treatment and support for cancer patients and their families.

NCARD is a collaboration of researchers who have a national and strategic focus for research into asbestos related diseases and cancers and provides a platform to build on Australia's existing research expertise and encourages strong organisational and linkages to ensure our research is systematic and complementary to existing research efforts in the area of asbestos related diseases.

The website provides information regarding NCARD projects and publications and provides links to information regarding asbestos related diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Information regarding the causes, prevention, early detection screening, diagnosis, treatment and effects of testicular cancer.

The neuroendocrine tumour interest group is concerned with the management of neuroendocrine tumours.

COSA has coordinated a number of workshops to discuss the management of NETs in Australia. From these workshops a number of projects have been committed, including:

• facilitating the set up of state based cross institutional NETs multidisciplinary networks, initially to be piloted in several states
• development of a national NETs database and tumour registry
• development of NETs specific clinical trials
• development of guidelines for NET management

A PDF report regarding the 2008 workshop held by Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), Australian and New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic & Biliary Association (ANZHPBA), Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG) and Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) about the diagnosis and management of Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) is available here.

The first public national register of lymphoedema practitioners in Australia and New Zealand, the National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register (NLPR) has been developed by Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) as a searchable database to facilitate easy,  confident, local referral for health professionals and lymphoedema consumers to lymphoedema practitioners who fulfill the accreditation and registration requirements of the ALA.

If you would like copies of the NLPR brochure to give to your clients, please email info@nlpr.asn.au

A range of resources for health professionals including screening kits, awareness materials and distributable patient information regarding bowel, colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers.

A downloadable bowel cancer patient pathway, including sections about screening, referral and treatments, is also available here.

Website listing gastrointestinal cancer trials open in Australia as well as relevant events.

Website listing leukaemia and lymphoma trials in Australia as well as relevant events.

Website listing lung cancer trials in Australia as well as relevant events.

Website listing melanoma trials and events in Australia and New Zealand

Website listing germ-cell cancer trials open in Australia and New Zealand

Website listing gynaeoncology trials and events in Australia and New Zealand

The Australian and New Zealand Children‘s Haematology/Oncology Group (ANZCHOG, formerly Australian & New Zealand Children‘s Cancer Study Group) functions as the Paediatric Group of COSA. The central aim of the Group is to ensure the best available therapy for all children with malignancies and haematological disorders. The Group is involved in clinical trials, national and international, clinical and laboratory based research and holds workshops, seminars and an annual scientific meeting.

Website listing breast cancer trials open in Australia and New Zealand as well as relevant events.

The 'registry' or 'the ANZCTR' is a comprehensive, on-line register of all clinical trials being undertaken in Australia and New Zealand.

The registry features the full spectrum of therapeutic areas including trials of pharmaceuticals, surgical procedures, preventive measures, lifestyle, devices, treatment and rehabilitation strategies and complementary therapies. It provides coverage of all clinical trials involving Australian/New Zealand researchers or participants.

A specialist group of COSA providing information about prostate cancer and urogenital cancer trials and events in Australia.

The ASSG aims to improve outcomes for sarcoma and related tumours in the Australian community by undertaking outstanding international basic, translational, clinical and supportive care research. The website also provides information about sarcoma and Australian specialists in this area of cancer.

ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions conducted in the United States and around the world. ClinicalTrials.gov provides general information about clinical trials, as well as information about a specific trial‘s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.

COGNO is a newly formed national neuro-oncology co-operative trial group based at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, located at the University of Sydney. COGNO‘s mission is: 'The achievement of better health outcomes for patients and those affected by brain tumours through clinical trials research'.

A report discussing the outcomes of a 1-day workshop convened by COSA in October 2008 with the aim of exploring a coordinated approach to the collection, storage and efficient utilisation of clinical trial specimens as well as appropriate mechanisms for funding tissue banking and access within the CCTGs in Australia.

The Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) was established in 2005, in response to a recognised need to develop the capacity and co-ordinated collaboration to conduct large-scale, multi-centre psycho-oncology and supportive care research. Membership (free) is open to researchers and health professionals from Australia and New Zealand.

The site also includes a clickable world map of psycho-oncology research centres to foster collaborations and networks among researchers in psycho-oncology in Australia and around the world.

A 2002 executive summary, recommendations and budget to promote an increased capacity in Australia for clinical trials.

Website listing information about radiation oncology trials and events in Australia and New Zealand

The Victorian Cancer Trials Link (VCTL) is an online searchable database of all cancer clinical trials being conducted in Victoria. It can be used by both consumers and clinicians, is free and does not require registration. Most importantly, it is designed to find a clinical trial that matches a patient‘s specific diagnosis and treatment situation. Additionally, it is possible to search for trials by keyword or hospital. The trial information can then be printed off and taken to a treating doctor or used to obtain further details about clinical trials available - contact details are provided for hospitals that are recruiting participants.

Through this website, Cancer Council Victoria aims to:

• Increase the number of patients enrolled in clinical trials
• Increase the number and type of active trials available to metropolitan and rural cancer patients, and
• Improve patient access to new and innovative cancer treatments via clinical trials offered that may only be open at one or more selected cancer centres.

Reports from the most recent breast cancer data collected by National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre including:

Breast cancer specific data items for clinical cancer registration
Publication date: June 2009

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. Canberra: Breast cancer (Cancer registries) Data Set Specification, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Publication date: 6 March, 2009

Commissioned by the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), this report details the recommended model and implementation plan developed for a national approach to biobanking in Australia following a literature review and extensive stakeholder consultation workshop.

The COSA Biobanking interest group is concerned with issues related to tissue banking for clinical trials in Australia. 

Information provided for physicians, clinical trials nurses and consumers in order to assist them to make an informed decision about whether to participate in a suitable clinical trial, ensuring all potential risks and benefits are understood as well as the rights and responsibilities of the patient and trial staff.

Australian Family Physician is the official journal of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. It is a peer reviewed journal publishing original articles and reviews dedicated to meeting the ongoing educational requirements of general practitioners.

This two part series explores issues around the use of complementary and alternative medicine in the Australian general practice context.

Part 1- What does it all mean?: published in Vol. 34, No. 7, July 2005, discusses the definitions of complementary and alternative medicine' and their use in the community.

Part 2- Evidence and implications for GPs: published in Vol. 34, No. 8, August 2005, gives an overview of the available evidence for the benefits and risks of complementary and alternative medicine and an approach to accessing that evidence. It also outlines an approach to addressing the ethical considerations for general practitioners using CAM or discussing CAM with their patients.

Part One: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200507/4966

Part Two: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200508/6032

A not-for-profit, peak medical body that promotes the integration of holistic and complementary medicine with current mainstream medical practice, in pursuit of a complete whole person care. Contains links to resources and a practitioner directory of members of AIMA.

The Cancer Institute NSW aims to provide people with cancer, their health professionals, carers and families with credible information about the benefits and risks of using complementary therapies. The benefits of complementary therapies may include their impact on the quality of life of people with cancer. Includes links to other relevant online resources and reports.

The aims of the CAM-Cancer project are to build a European authoritative network around CAM in cancer with an international panel of experts in CAM research and/or in cancer care with privileged contacts with cancer organizations. The project‘s main achievement will be to prepare and disseminate suitable evidence based information for health professionals in order to help them to inform their patients, especially on safety issues like side effects and possible interactions as well as a critical appraisal of medical evidence.

The project key outcomes include:

• peer-reviewed CAM summaries of the existing scientific information on CAM in cancer
• systematic reviews according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines
• in depth investigation of CAM legal status, reimbursement and supervisory issues at the European level and common recommendations for searching and reviewing the evidence.

A joint position statement by RACGP and AIMA to ensure that health professionals and consumers and general practitioners have access to quality information about complementary medicine so that they are empowered to make well-informed choices.

The guiding principle at Memorial Sloan-Kettering is to offer the most effective treatment and the highest quality of care for people with cancer. The Integrative Medicine Service extends this philosophy by its focus on quality of life. The service includes established in 1999 to complement mainstream medical care and address the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families.

The site includes videos, a herb database and information regarding clinical trials.

Resources and information regarding complementary and alternative medicines from the National Cancer Institute.

The American Federal Government‘s lead agency for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine.

The mission of NCCAM is to:

• explore complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science
• train complementary and alternative medicine researchers
• and disseminate authoritative information to the public and professionals

A webpage to provide health professionals and consumers with information on evidence based complementary medicine.

Information and guidelines regarding Australian government regulations of complementary medicines are also known as traditional or alternative medicines. Examples include vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements and herbal, aromatherapy and homoeopathic products.

In a response to issues raised by the COSA membership around complementary medicines COSA has established a Complementary and Integrative Therapies (CIT) Interest Group with expertise from a range of different areas, as well as a Working Group to help oversee COSA initiatives in this area.

A toolkit has been developed for members to:

• promote evidence-based information about complementary therapies to patients and health professionals
• encourage oncology health professionals to engage in discussion with patients about complementary therapies
• develop and promote guidelines and minimum standards for delivery of complementary therapies
• utilise and build on existing resources and avoid duplication

Series of evidence reports on clinical and health care services including the following cancer and blood disorders:

• Adnexal Mass (February 2006)
• Anemia, Managing with Epoetin and Darbepoetin (May 2006)
• Breast Abnormalities, Noninvasive Diagnostic Tests (February 2006)
• Breast Cancer Care in Women, Measuring Quality (September 2004)
• Breast Cancer Outcomes, Gene Expression Profiling Tests (January 2008)
• Breast Tumors, HER2 Testing (November 2008)
• Cancer Care Quality Measures, Colorectal Cancer (May 2006)
• Cancer Care Quality Measures, Symptoms and End-of-Life (May 2006)
• Cancer Clinical Trials, Recruitment of Underrepresented Populations (June 2005)
• Cancer Control Interventions, Diffusion and Dissemination (May 2003)
• Cancer Family History, Clinical Utility (April 2009)
• Cancer Family History, Collection and Use in Primary Care (October 2007)
• Colorectal Cancer Screening (February 2010)
• Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) (September 2009)
• Family History and Improving Health (August 2009)
• Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (May 2007)
• Hydroxyurea for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (February 2008)
• Immuno-Augmentation Therapy and Naltrexone for Cancer Treatment (April 2003)
• Ovarian Cancer, Genomic Tests for Detection and Management (October 2006)
• Physical Activity, General Population and Cancer Patients and Survivors (June 2004)
• Prostate Cancer, Therapies for Clinically Localized (February 2008)
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Management  (July 2006)
  
  

The Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology is a multidisciplinary journal of oncology that aims to be a forum for facilitating collaboration and exchanging information on what is happening in different countries of the Asia Pacific region in relation to cancer treatment and care.

The Journal publishes pre-clinical studies, translational research, clinical trials and epidemiological studies, describing new findings of clinical significance.Clinical studies, particularly prospectively designed clinical trials, are encouraged.

The Cancer Council Australia has published its first national Research Highlights report. The report profiles some of the hundreds of research projects funded by the Cancer Council each year and introduces the people behind the research, as they discuss their efforts to better understand cancer, improve the prevention and early detection of the disease as well as improve treatments and the quality of life of cancer patients.

CancerNetwork.com offers three online refereed journal publications: ONCOLOGY is published monthly and is geared toward the practicing oncologist. It focuses on practical issues related to the care of patients with neoplastic disease. Topics covered may be either very broad or quite focused and, in general, are authored by a renowned expert in the particular area. Each article that appears in the journal is referred to one, two, or three reviewers, who are asked to write a short commentary to be published alongside the article. These commentaries broaden the reader‘s perspective on the topic being discussed as they serve to highlight areas of consensus or disagreement among professionals most familiar with the topic in question.

Oncology NEWS International provides its audience with timely, concise reports and analyses of news and developments from around the world in all areas of interest to cancer specialists. The journal relies heavily on in-person coverage of scientific meetings and conferences. Correspondents throughout the United States and abroad supply first-hand reports and interviews with researchers, clinicians, and industry and government figures whose work and actions are changing the practice of oncology and hematology.

Special features include monthly point-counterpoint articles, monthly profiles of leaders in oncology and hematology, and a section devoted to economic and practice issues. ONCOLOGY‘s Nurse Edition publishes articles related to practical management issues in the care of patients with neoplastic disease.Through the Nurse Edition, ONCOLOGY aims to provide readers with useful insights into all aspects of patient management, with an emphasis on information and tools that can be applied to daily practice and patient education.

Cancer Forum is the official journal of COSA and the Cancer Council Australia. It is published in March, July and November each year for health professionals in the field of cancer. It is an avenue for communication between all those involved in the fight against cancer, and aims to promote contact across disciplinary boundaries.

The policy of Cancer Forum is to provide a forum for debate and the exchange of views. It includes medical, scientific, political, social, educational and administrative comment on all aspects of the fight against cancer.

The Health Care Innovations Exchange is an AHRQ program designed to support health care professionals in sharing and adopting innovations that improve the delivery of care to patients.

Explore this site to find innovative strategies and quality-related tools, learn how to improve your organization‘s ability to innovate and adopt new ideas, and interact with innovators and adopters.

IARC‘s mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control.

The Agency is involved in both epidemiological and laboratory research and disseminates scientific information through publications, meetings, courses, and fellowships.

The site includes information regarding:

• Research Groups
• Publications
• Education and Training

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

MedlinePlus has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, information in multiple languages and latest health news.

Preformulated searches for cancer are also included to give easy access to medical journal articles.

NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health.

Technology appraisals are recommendations on the use of new and existing medicines and treatments within the NHS in England and Wales, such as; medicines, medical devices, diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures and health promotion activities.

Included cancers:

• Brain
• Breast
• Cervical
• Gastrointestina
• Glioma
• Haematological malignancies
• Liver
• Lung
• Myeloma
• Ovarian
• Prostate

Expertly developed and empirically validated searches on palliative care topics enable users to upload and run the selected search in PubMed, an online database of articles from medical journals maintained by the National Library of Medicine. This enables real-time identification of relevant literature and evidence on over 50 topics of importance within palliative care.

In September 2004, the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, asked the NHMRC to review the effectiveness of microwave cancer therapy in Australia, including Dr John Holt‘s microwave (UHF radiowave) cancer therapy. This referral was made under Section 9 of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

The NHMRC completed a comprehensive audit of the clinical records of a number of Dr Holt‘s past and present patients, including a comparison of the effectiveness of Dr Holt‘s current and previous microwave (UHF radiowave) cancer therapies with conventional cancer therapies. The results from the assessment of clinical data were incorporated into a final report that was provided to the Minister.

The Medical Journal of Australia is Australia‘s premier peer-reviewed journal of medical practice and clinical research, published by the Australian Medical Association. Each year the journal publishes 23 issues in 2 volumes on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

Key pages include:

• Topics, a list of topic areas covered in the journal
• Clinical guidelines, authoritative documents issued by medical colleges and other reliable sources designed to guide doctors and other health care workers to the best practice in particular fields of medicine
• Archives, a list of all articles published by the MJA since January 1996
• Info for patients explains the strengths and limitations of the eMJA site as a source of medical advice
• Bookroom is the eMJA collection of book reviews and a place where books can be purchased online.

The UICC Global Cancer Control Community aims to ensure that all professionals and volunteers working in cancer control, disregarding frontiers and inequalities, have access to relevant and practical information and the resources to assist them in their work to fight cancer. The Global Cancer Control Community is now offering Global News Alert to all cancer control professionals and volunteers.

The Alert is a monthly digest of the most up-to-date cancer news, science and information from around the world. It is reviewed by renown cancer experts, Paola Pisani (University of Oxford) and Joe Harford (National Cancer Institute U.S.A.), and edited by John Wiley & Sons.

Website containing information about types and treatments for cancer. Requires registration but no joining fee.

Wongi Yabber is the ACN newsletter for supporters and interest groups. It is published quarterly in February, May, August and November on the Cancer Council website and contains information and updates from some of Australia‘s key cancer organisations including COSA, NBOCC, CNSA, Cancer Council and Cancer Voices Australia. Key dates and events are also highlighted in each newsletter.

The Journal of Cancer Education is the official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Education and the European Association for Cancer Education, an international, quarterly, peer reviewed journal dedicated to the publication of original contributions related to cancer education for health professionals, patients, and the general public.

Articles featured include reports of original results of educational research, as well as discussions of current problems and techniques in cancer education.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre’s research, reviews and data reports regarding breast cancer including:

Risk of invasive breast cancer in women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in Australia between 1995 and 2005, Publication date: March 2010

Breast cancer in Australia: an overview, 2009, Publication date: October 2009

Breast cancer risk factors - a review of the evidence (resource RFRW), Publication date: July 2009

National Breast Cancer Audit Public Health Monitoring Series 2007 Data
Publication date: March 2009

National Breast Cancer Audit Public Health Monitoring Series 2006 Data,
Publication date: November 2009

National Data Strategy for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Publication date: February 2008

Breast cancer survival by size and nodal status, Publication date: October 2007

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre’s research, reviews and data reports regarding ovarian cancer including:

Ovarian cancer in Australia, an overview 2010, Publication date: February 2010

Report to the Nation - Ovarian Cancer 2010, Publication date: February 2010

Ovarian Cancer in Australia, an overview 2006, Publication date: November 2006

National Data Strategy for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Publication date: February 2008

A US based website containing multimedia information about various types and treatments for cancer.

A discussion forum is available for registered users to join various communities and share information.

Also included are sections on Hot Topics and Latest Headlines in cancer care and control.

incite is a quarterly online journal designed to provide useful, timely information about cancer prevention, detection, research and education initiatives to the cancer community.

The journal is published four times per year by the Cancer Institute NSW, with day-to-day operational oversight conducted by the Cancer Institute NSW Communications group.

Past issues of the journal are available in the archive.

To receive incite directly to your inbox every quarter, please subscribe online.

Guidelines developed for health professionals about familial aspects of both breast and ovarian cancer. The aim of the guidelines is to help health professionals determine a woman‘s risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer based on her family history.

A guide to assist general practitioners provide appropriate referral paths for women with symptoms of ovarian cancer.

A two page guide for general practitioners for the assessment and management of lung cancer.

The information in this guide is intended to assist general practitioners assess if a woman with persistent, unexplained symptoms may have ovarian cancer.

The guide is based on the clinical practice guidelines for the management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer.

A booklet to present current recommendations on screening for cancer and a useful reference tool for general practitioners who are confronted with cancer screening issues in their day to day practice. Eight common malignancies have been included in this review of screening recommendations: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancer.

• Part 1 is concerned with definitions and distinctions between screening and ad hoc case-finding of malignant neoplasms.
• Part 2 of the booklet deals with specific information regarding screening for each of the eight cancers.

A downloadable/printable quick reference guide is available: http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/resources/0505_screening_a4.pdf

Family history is widely recognised as an important risk factor for common cancer, and 5-10 percent of cancers are considered to be attributable to an inherited cancer predisposition. During the past decade there have been major developments in cancer genetics with the identification and characterisation of genes involved in the inherited forms of several common human cancers. The improved ability to detect individuals at high risk though analysis of their family history and/or genetic testing has been accompanied by major advances in screening, surveillance and prevention.

These guidelines address the needs of the major groups with proved or suspected familial predisposition to cancer. The target audience includes all health professionals who may be involved with families seeking advice concerning familial aspects of cancer. More specifically, the document is aimed at health professionals directly involved in the care and management of individuals and families who may have a genetic susceptibility to malignancy. Part 1 covers general issues relating to familial cancer services, whilst Part 2 looks at the requirements for particular cancers. This document attempts to provide up-to-date guidelines, many of which are based on recent reports in the scientific literature.

A guide to assist general practitioners to recognise the symptoms of lymphoma and refer patients for appropriate treatment.

A four-page guide for general practitioners for assessing the risk of bowel cancer. Includes patient information.

A four-page guide for general practitioners for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer.

The guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer (CRC) are evidence-based and have been produced by a multidisciplinary team. The guidelines are intended to provide a resource for all medical practitioners and health workers who require sound information directed toward the management of patients with Colorectal Cancer.

These guidelines are wide-ranging in scope and provide information which covers prevention and screening, diagnosis and psychosocial matters, as well as the clinical aspects of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Each chapter can be downloaded separately as a PDF file.

Various NBOCC breast and ovarian cancer resources including:

• clinical practice guidelines and recommendations;
• research, reports and data reviews;
• corporate resources;
• information for women, family and friends.

A booklet to present current recommendations on screening for cancer and a useful reference tool for general practitioners who are confronted with cancer screening issues in their day to day practice. Eight common malignancies have been included in this review of screening recommendations: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancer.

Part 1 is concerned with definitions and distinctions between screening and ad hoc case-finding of malignant neoplasms.

Part 2 of the booklet deals with specific information regarding screening for each of the eight cancers.

Downloadable/printable quick reference guide available: http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/resources/0505_screening_a4.pdf

This guide indicates steps to be taken by a GP when investigating symptoms that could be breast cancer.

A guide to assist health professionals with the assessment, treatment and management of secondary lymphodema.

This information sheet is to assist general practitioners in managing the clinical and psychosocial aspects of care of the woman with metastatic breast cancer and her family. This guide provides evidence based recommendations relevant to general practice adapted from the Clinical practice guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer (National Breast Cancer Centre 2001).

A chart detailing symptoms a woman with metastatic breast cancer may experience requiring urgent treatment is included.

Updated from the 2004 guidelines, the Best Clinical Practice Gynaecological Cancer Guidelines 2009 includes information regarding the disease sites, pathology and clinical issues including clinical trials, familial aspects of gynaecological cancer, lymphoedema, palliative care, psychosocial care and vaginal stenosis.

This summary is designed to assist general practitioners in managing aspects of follow-up care and support for women following completion of active treatment for early breast cancer.

This document supplements guideline recommendation 25 about follow-up care contained in the Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Early Breast Cancer, 2nd edition 2001.

Revision of NHMRC/ACNs Clinical practice guidelines on non-melanoma skin cancer: guidelines for the treatment and management in Australia (1992) to benefit general practitioners who provide the majority of care for those suffering from non-melanoma skin cancer to assist in sound decision-making.

The Guidelines are guides and are neither rules nor are they prescriptive in any way. The Guidelines are produced mainly for those practitioners who are providing the majority of care to people with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Australia. The data indicate that general practitioners compromise the majority providing this care; hence the Guidelines primarily should be of benefit to them. Solar radiation is the major environmental cause of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Malignant lymphomas provide model strategies for cancer management. The sequential issues of sophisticated diagnostic and staging procedures, definition of therapeutic goals and integration of multimodality management are all present. These guidelines emphasise the need for appropriate biopsy techniques to allow accurate diagnosis and subtyping according to the WHO scheme. Technical advances, particularly in molecular biology, will further refine diagnosis and generate prognostic information. These advances will allow treatment to be more tailored to individuals. In all types of lymphoma staging, using appropriate radiological techniques further refines prognosis and treatment selection. Emerging data from PET scanning offer additional promise.

Treatment across the spectrum of the lymphomas requires careful consideration of the integration of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The availability of products of biotechnology (monoclonal antibodies and growth factors) in conjunction with chemotherapy offers improvements in treatment outcome. The entry of patients into appropriate clinical trials is recommended to improve evidence-based management policies. The diagnostic and staging procedures define treatment decisions with either curative or palliative intent, depending on the subtype and stage of the lymphoma.

The guidelines stress the need for the development of multimodality teams to guide the patient‘s journey from diagnosis through what are sometimes complex and difficult treatments.

Each chapter can be downloaded separately as a PDF file.

The diagnosis of breast cancer is a blow to any woman and her family. However, for younger women in particular the impact is profound - making treatment decisions which impact on body image and sexuality, assessing the possibility of precipitation of premature menopause and enforced infertility, all underscored by the big question: Can I beat it?

These guidelines represent a breakthrough for younger women with breast cancer, who have long felt that their particular needs, both emotional and physical, have not been fully addressed.

Underpinning these guidelines is explicit information and about the emotional impact of breast cancer for younger women, and about evidence-based strategies to appropriately respond.

Available as a single PDF file. Hard copies can be ordered.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Advanced Breast Cancer have been developed by a multidisciplinary working party, which has been rigorous in seeking the best available evidence, including research published up to mid-2000. The guidelines are primarily intended for use by all health professionals involved in the management of women with advanced breast cancer. Breast cancer has a longer history than many other common cancers and often takes the form of a chronic illness.

While recognising that there is a clear need for high level professional skills in diagnosis and management, careful attention has also been given to a patient‘s emotions, psychosocial inter-relationships and general well being. The guidelines aim to provide material that will be helpful and supportive to those managing the difficult range of problems that may present in advanced breast cancer. Available as a single PDF file. Hard copies can be ordered.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of early breast cancer, 2nd edition, is designed to: assist in decision-making by women and their doctors; educate all involved in the care of women with breast cancer; assess and assure the quality of care; reduce the risk of legal liability by improving care; and bring the issue of cost-effectiveness into the public arena.

To supplement this second edition, the following updates are available: 'Recommendations for Aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant endocrine therapy' and 'The use of intraoperative radiotherapy - for the treatment of patients with early breast cancer'.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines are available as a single PDF file and hard copies can be ordered. The supplements are published online as separate PDF files.

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand (2008) were developed by an expert team to provide the evidence for optimal care and will assist general practitioners, dermatologists, surgeons and others in clinical decision making when managing patients with melanoma.

Also available is an Ocular and Periocular Melanoma supplementary document:

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/cp111-ocular-melanoma.pdf

The clinical practice guidelines for the management of women with epithelial ovarian cancer aim to:

• improve the quality of healthcare for women
• educate those involved in the care of women with epithelial ovarian cancer
• assist the decision-making process by women with epithelial ovarian cancer and their doctors
• and facilitate the optimal treatment of women with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Available as a single PDF file. Hard copies can be ordered.

Lung cancer causes a major burden to the health of Australians in terms of morbidity and mortality. The guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and management of lung cancer provide an evidence-based document produced by a multi-disciplinary working party to facilitate sound decision-making.

Available as single PDF file (large file) or each chapter can be downloaded separately. Hard copies can be ordered.

These clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer were developed to expand on the existing psychosocial clinical practice guidelines: providing information, support and counselling for women with breast cancer. Health professionals and consumers have found the existing guidelines to be valuable in the provision of evidence based psychosocial care.

The guidelines for adults with cancer were developed by the National Breast Cancer Centre and the National Cancer Control Initiative, and overseen by a multidisciplinary Steering Group. The guidelines are based on comprehensive and systematic reviews of the research and an extensive consultative process to ensure their clinical relevance.

The purpose of this document is to update the literature on the management of localised prostate cancer. It will serve as a background document for the Australian Cancer Network‘s Working Party on Management of Localised Prostate Cancer, which was formed to agree upon guidelines for management of localised prostate cancer in Australia.

This report has examined the American Urological Association Guidelines on Management of Localised Prostate Cancer (Middleton RG et al, 1995) in some detail, and finds no evidence from recent literature that warrants substantive changes to these guidelines. Available as a single PDF (large file). Hard copies can be ordered.

Guidelines regarding the safe prescribing, dispensing and administration of chemotherapy and related agents used in the treatment of cancer.

The aim is to assist in the prevention of medication errors and to improve patient safety with respect to the treatment of cancer.

National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre’s guidelines and guides are based on the best evidence available at the time of publication and are a guide to appropriate practice, to be followed subject to the clinician’s judgement and the woman’s preference in each individual case.

As new evidence becomes available, existing resources may be updated or topic-specific updates may be developed to act as supplements to existing documents.

This section provides links to all National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre guidelines, guides and recommendations, including any relevant updates and the date of publication. Links to relevant evidence reviews and consumer information are also provided.

 Choose a topic area:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Multidisciplinary care (all-cancer focus)
• Psychosocial care (all-cancer focus)
• Lymphoedema (all-cancer focus)

Find a resource:

• Clinical practice guidelines and recommendations
• GP guides and resources
• NBOCC position statements

Clinical practice guidelines for the pathology reporting of breast cancer.

Available as a single PDF file online. Hard copies can be ordered.

A guide to using the Cochrane Library, an international web-based resource that brings together research about the effectiveness of different health care treatments and interventions. The licence to provide access for all Australians to the Cochrane Library has been funded by the Australian Government and has been negotiated by the National Institute of Clinical Studies, Australia‘s national agency for closing the gaps between evidence and practice in health care.

AMEDEO has been created to serve the needs of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, other members of the health professions, and patients and their friends to allow them to create a profile to easily access timely, relevant information within their respective fields.

AMEDEO‘s core components include:

• weekly emails with bibliographic lists about new scientific publications
• personal web pages for one-time download of available abstracts
• an overview of the medical literature published in relevant journals over the past 12 to 24 months.

All information resources are free of charge.

The Evidence-Based Answers to Clinical Questions for Busy Clinicians (2009) Workbook helps busy clinicians to find the best available evidence to answer clinical questions, in the shortest possible time. It introduces the principles of evidence-based practice and provides a foundation of understanding and skills in developing questions that are answerable from the literature; searching for evidence to answer the question and appraising the evidence identified for quality, reliability, accuracy and relevance.

The Guide to the Best Available Evidence to Support Introduction of New Technologies & Clinical Practices (TCPs) help users find the best available evidence in the shortest possible time.

The Toolkit for Developing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines in Health Services and The Guide to Developing Patient Information Materials will be available soon.

Tool developed by the National Institute of Clinical Studies to help health professionals identify the barriers to applying evidence and changing practice within Australian health care settings.

Designed for group and workshop use, the tool can be adapted for particular situations. An illustration about how to use the tool is also provided.

A toolkit to improve communication between consumers and professionals.

Reflecting the nature of communication as a two-way process, the NHMRC has chosen to produce a single toolkit aimed both at those taking up and those delivering healthcare, rather than developing separate versions for consumers and professionals.

The design of the document makes it clear which sections are aimed at both audiences, and which sections target consumers or professionals specifically. It focuses on elective medical situations; that is, non-emergency situations where there is a choice about whether or not to have a treatment or test, such as whether to have a screening test for a particular type of cancer.

This edition of Health Affairs (24, no. 1 (2005) provides a variety of perspectives on the challenges and potential rewards of building and using a stronger evidence base for health care decisions.

Articles and case studies in this edition review the history and context of evidence-based decisionmaking; describe the challenges of developing the most relevant evidence for different clinical and policy decisions; and discuss obstacles and opportunities for practitioners and policymakers seeking to implement evidence-based decisions. All articles are available as online PDFs.

Provides lead clinicians and health service managers with tips about how to provide world-best practice in cancer care. Designed to provide practical advice on how to improve cancer care locally in accord with national best practice.

The TRIP Database is a clinical search tool designed to simultaneously search multiple sites based on population, intervention, comparison and/or desired outcome to allow health professionals to rapidly identify the highest quality clinical evidence for clinical practice.

The site has been externally evaluated by a team from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (www.cebm.net)

A repository of answers to previous searches and questions is also accessible at: TripAnswers 

Registered users (registration is free) benefit from extra features such as CPD, search history, and collaborative tools, including subscribing to a regularly updated online developer blog.

Clinical practice guidelines on the following:

• Assays and predictive markers
• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Genitourinary cancer
• Head and Neck cancer
• Hematologic Malignancies
• Lung cancer
• Supportive Care
• Quality of Life
• Survivorship

Cancer Care Ontario‘s Clinical Programs work with clinicians to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of cancer services from diagnosis through to long-term follow up and palliative care. The programs monitor quality, develop evidence-based guidance for the system, and work with health professionals and organizations to implement best practices.

The programs are currently organized into nine clinical focus areas that relate to various key aspects of the cancer care continuum, aimed at better understanding the disease pathway for different cancers and developing strategies to identify quality and access gaps, better coordinate care and support collaboration between providers and enhance the experience of patients and health professionals at every phase of cancer.

Information and links to resources are provided for:

• Primary care
• oncology nursing
• palliative care
• psychosocial
• surgical
• pathology and laboratory
• patient education
• radiation treatment
• systemic treatment

Cancer Care Ontario‘s internationally recognized Program in Evidence-Based Care (PEBC) role is to improve the quality of cancer care by helping to apply the best scientific evidence in practice and decisions.

The PEBC evidence-based guidelines and standards are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as on CCO‘s web site.

Cancer Care Ontario built on the PEBC well-established expertise in producing clinical guidelines for the care of individual patients to include the development of organizational and system standards that set expectations for organizations delivering cancer services in terms of personnel, expertise, facilities and services.

Including:

• breast
• gastrointestinal
• genitourinary
• gyneacology
• head and neck
• hematology
• lung
• melanoma
• nuero-oncology
• sarcoma

PDQ (Physician Data Query) is NCI‘s comprehensive cancer database of cancer information summaries for health professionals and consumers based on latest evidence. It contains alphabetical listings of peer-reviewed summaries on specific cancers and their treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine.

The site also links to a registry of 8000+ open and 19,000+ closed cancer clinical trials from around the world; and a directory of professionals who provide genetics services.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology - the recognized standard for clinical policy in oncology - are the most comprehensive and most frequently updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of Medicine.

Each individual NCCN Guideline is posted with its latest update date and version number.

Guidelines are available regarding:

• Treatment of Cancer by Site
• Detection, Prevention, & Risk Reduction
• Supportive Care

The guidelines are also available for download as apps for iPhone and Android are free to download through the iTunes Store and Android Market. For further information, visit: http://www.nccn.org/mobile/ 

Please note: To use the NCCN Guidelines apps, an individual must be a registered user on NCCN.org. There is no fee to become a registered user on NCCN.org and to view the NCCN Guidelines.

NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health. Health professionals should take the NICE cancer service guidance into account when planning, commissioning and organising services for cancer patients. This guidance can be used to identify gaps in local provision and to check the appropriateness of existing services, including:

• brain tumours
• breast cancer
• children and young people
• colorectal cancer
• haemato-oncology
• head and neck cancer
• lung cancer
• oesophageal cancer
• sarcoma
• skin tumours including melanoma
• supportive & palliative care
• urological cancers.

The Cleveland Clinic Disease Management Project is an online medical reference resource providing healthcare professionals with convenient, quick, credible and precise access to nationally established treatment guidelines and information to assist in patient care.

Information is categorised into:

• Disease Definition
• Epidemiology
• Pathophysiology
• Signs and symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

Outcomes and Summary and is available for the following diseases:

• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
• Brain Tumors: Meningiomas and Gliomas
• Chronic Leukemias
• Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders
• Disorders of Platelet Function and Number
• Oesophageal Cancer
• Hypercoagulable States
• Multiple Myeloma
• Prostate Cancer
• Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention
• Gynecologic Malignancies: Endometrial, Ovarian, and Cervical Cancer
• Breast Disorders and Breast Cancer Screening
• Lung Cancer

This 2009 policy reaffirms the position of the RACGP on prostate cancer testing, recommending that patients should be fully informed of the potential benefits, risks and uncertainties of prostate cancer testing and then make their own decision about being tested after discussion and assessment by a GP.

Where a patient chooses to be tested, the RACGP recommends that both PSA and DRE should be performed.

A document that aims to provide a blueprint for optimal cancer prevention and early detection in Australia for 200709, drawing on the latest evidence and exploring the impact, risk factors, policy context and effective interventions.

A document specifying the CNSA‘s position regarding the minimum education and safety requirements for nurses involved in the administration of cytotoxic drugs.

Evidence based position statements on a range of cancer topics written by a combined professional group including COSA and MOGA.

The listed statements include:

• Intravenous Chemotherapy Supply Program
• Bowel cancer screening position statement
• Breast cancer position statement
• Oral contraceptives position statement
• Prostate cancer position statement
• Sun exposure position statement
• Testicular cancer position statement

This position statement applies to screening methods for the early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women (women without breast changes).

The Cancer Council Australia has developed a range of evidence-based position statements to communicate our position on key cancer issues. Position statements are written by The Cancer Council‘s expert committees and are based on the evidence available.

All statements are reviewed regularly, in accordance with The Cancer Council Australia‘s position statements policy.

Statements include:

• Alcohol and cancer
• Breast cancer
• Bowel cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Nutrition and physical activity
• Occupational and environmental cancers
• Oral contraceptives
• Prostate cancer
• Smoking and tobacco control
• SunSmart
• Supportive care
• State and territory travel and accomodation subsidy schemes
• Benefits of healthy diet and physical activity for cancer survivors
• Complementary and alternative therapies
• Testicular cancer

Cancer Council New South Wales’ position statements on different nutritional factors and cancer risk.

Summaries of specific systemic therapy treatment protocols based on the accumulated experiences of this Agency together with best practice evidence derived from major cancer centres throughout the world for health care professionals delivering cancer care, treatment and support in British Columbia. Handouts are also available for patients.

The range of chemotherapy protocols include:

• Leukemia/BMT
• Breast
• Endocrine
• Gastrointestinal
• Genitourinary
• Gynecology
• Head & Neck
• Kaposi‘s Sarcoma
• Lung
• Lymphoma & Myeloma
• Melanoma
• Miscellaneous Origins
• Neuro-Oncology
• Primary Unknown 
• Sarcoma

eviQ Cancer Treatments Online is a single repository of standardised, current, evidence based, peer reviewed information about clinical cancer treatments. Designed by medical oncologists to reduce unneccesary practice variation, eviQ provides clinicians, primary carers, patients and carers in all clinical and geographical settings with free 24 hour access to comprehensive information, relevant to the Australian context.

In scope and presentation eviQ represents a significant advance on its forerunner CI-SCaT. The eviQ information system offers standardised and comprehensive information that aligns to the clinical workflow and supports the clinician at the point of care. eviQ also provides treatment and procedure specific patient information for use by clinicians delivering care to cancer patients.

Information is targeted via categories:

• Cancer Genetics
• Haematology
• Marrow Transplantation
• Medical Oncology
• Medical Physics
• Nursing
• Palliative Care
• Patient Information
• Primary Health Care (Cancer Australia funded section)
• Radiation Oncology

eviQ also includes a searchable database of cancer symptoms and cancer medications including information about adverse reactions, an opioid calculator and links to many other credible sources of cancer information.

The 7th edition of the Health and Ageing Thesaurus is a list of subject terms covering concepts of interest to the Department and is a basis for common terminology.

World health organization diagram relating to pain relief and palliative care.

The Therapeutic Advice and Information Service (TAIS) is a medicines information line specifically for health professionals including doctors, pharmacists and nurses. It is funded by the National Prescribing Service (NPS) and staffed by specialist drug information pharmacists.

Services include:

• Information on new drugs and complementary medicines and medicines reported in the media
• Information on newly emerging side effects
• Advice on the clinical importance of potential drug interactions
• Identification of foreign drugs and recommendation of therapeutic equivalents
• Assessment of expected benefits and potential risks of medicines
• Information on drugs in pregnancy and lactation

The TGA carries out a range of assessment and monitoring activities to ensure therapeutic goods available in Australia are of an acceptable standard with the aim of ensuring that the Australian community has access, within a reasonable time, to therapeutic advances. Website provides information about new drugs, adverse events, withdrawals etc

A list of Australian national and state drug information services contact details. Also includes links to the International Register of Drug Information Services